“He’s been fantastic for the club. We all love him for what he’s done and what he’s achieved and we’re pleased that he’s going to go on and fulfil the other ambitions that he’s got.” — Steve Parish, Crystal Palace Chairman
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has officially confirmed that Eberechi Eze is completing his transfer to Arsenal in a deal worth up to £67,5 million.
The announcement comes amid growing frustration from Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who has publicly urged the club to find replacements before the transfer window closes.
The 26-year-old England international reportedly pulled out of Palace’s Conference League playoff match against Fredrikstad on the morning of the game, citing illness.
This withdrawal came after Arsenal agreed to the substantial fee on Wednesday evening, highlighting the immediate impact of the transfer negotiations on the squad.
Glasner’s Growing Frustrations
Glasner, who led Palace to FA Cup glory in May, made his dissatisfaction clear regarding the club’s transfer activities.
The manager was notably candid when discussing the situation after Palace’s narrow 1-0 victory over Fredrikstad in their Conference League playoff first leg.
“I think it’s better I don’t talk too much about it. Because, you know, I start to get… And it’s better than not always saying what you are feeling and what you’re thinking,” Glasner stated.
His comments reflect the growing tension behind the scenes at Selhurst Park.
“We have to act. We need this. And this is Crystal Palace’s future. The profile is defined for months. It is not surprising for everyone that Ebs left. We missed the chance to replace him early enough. That’s completely our fault and nobody else’s,” he added.
Guéhi’s Uncertain Future
The situation at Crystal Palace could become even more complicated with captain Marc Guéhi potentially following Eze out the door.
Parish acknowledged that Guéhi, who has entered the final year of his contract, could still depart with Liverpool showing interest in the defender.
“If Marc wants to sign a contract, then he can stay. If he doesn’t want to sign a contract, then we have to look at it,” Parish explained.
The chairman further elaborated on the financial constraints facing clubs like Palace, particularly those competing in European competitions.
“It’s a difficult situation. Every club like us, and particularly if you’re in Europe, the financial rules are a lot tighter than the Premier League. They’re a lot tighter. Everybody has to sell players to, you know, comply with the rules. So that’s a situation we’ll have to look at in the next 11 days.”
Defensive Crisis Looms
Glasner’s concerns about Guéhi’s potential departure extend beyond losing a key player.
The manager highlighted the defensive crisis the team would face if their captain leaves before next week’s second leg against Fredrikstad.
“I just know if Marc leaves, and is not available for Fredrikstad, we would have big problems,” Glasner said.
“It’s pretty clear. We can’t register anyone. So from my side, he has to stay. You see, we played with Jefferson Lerma in the back today. He’s a midfield player.”
In a moment of half-serious desperation, Glasner even suggested he might need to come out of retirement himself.
“We have no centre-backs available at the moment, and if Marc leaves, OK, maybe I will try my boots, because I was a centre-back and this could be a good option. I will think about it.”
Palace’s Transfer Market Inactivity
Crystal Palace currently holds the dubious distinction of being the club that has spent the least amount of any team in Europe’s top five leagues during this transfer window.
This lack of investment stands in stark contrast to the significant outgoing transfers the club is processing.
| Crystal Palace Transfer Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Players Out | Eberechi Eze (to Arsenal, £67,5m) |
| Players In | None confirmed |
| Potential Targets | Bilal El Khannouss (Leicester) |
| Transfer Window Closes | 30/08/2025 |
Reports suggest Palace has identified Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss as a potential replacement for Eze, but no deal has been finalized.
European Campaign Continues
Despite the transfer turmoil, Crystal Palace will travel to Norway for the second leg of their Conference League playoff against Fredrikstad with a 1-0 advantage.
The goal came courtesy of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s header, though the team struggled to break down their opponents throughout much of the match.
The second leg will present additional challenges as it will be played on an artificial surface, which could further test Glasner’s depleted squad.
With just 11 days remaining in the transfer window, Palace faces a race against time to strengthen their squad and address the concerns raised by their manager.
For Arsenal, the acquisition of Eze represents a significant statement of intent as they look to challenge for the Premier League title in the upcoming season.
